2021 Volkswagen Passat vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2021 Volkswagen Passat
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

MSRP

$23,995

MSRP

$111,100

Average price

$24,283

Average price

$129,927

Listings

98

Listings

14
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10

Expert reviews

8.7 out of 10

2021 Volkswagen Passat Reviews Summary

In 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year.

The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies.

2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reviews Summary

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid system as part of its gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $123,500; the S580 starts at $139,900. Natural Resources Canada estimates the S500 can achieve fuel consumption as low as 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined, while the S580 is rated at 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

2.0L 174 hp I4

Engine

3.0L 429 hp I6

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

174 hp @ 5200 rpm

Horsepower

429 hp @ 6100 rpm

MPG City

24

MPG City

21

MPG Highway

36

MPG Highway

30
2021 Volkswagen Passat
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Volkswagen Passat
$23,995MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
$111,100MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
MSRP
$23,995
$111,100
Average price
$24,283
$129,927
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.5
4.8
Expert reviews

6.5 out of 10

Read full review

8.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Summary

In 2011, when a Volkswagen Passat was launched customized for the North American market, VW thought the sedan was the key to domination. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default mid-size sedan choice for most buyers at that time, after all, particularly in the U.S. where mid-size cars were much more strongly preferred. A lot has changed since then: SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. Both the Passat and the Arteon are nearing the end of their lives here in Canada as they’ll be discontinued at the end of the 2022 model year.

The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously available Comfortline trim level is gone, leaving just the Highline and Execline models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard. Our test car was a U.S.-spec SE model, the closest Canadian equivalent of which would be the Highline, though some equipment varies.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a full-size four-door luxury sedan with a 48-volt mild hybrid system as part of its gasoline-electric powertrain, including a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-6-cylinder gas engine (S500) or twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 (S580), with EQ Boost, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive (AWD). The S500 starts at $123,500; the S580 starts at $139,900. Natural Resources Canada estimates the S500 can achieve fuel consumption as low as 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres city/8.0 highway/9.9 combined, while the S580 is rated at 14.3 L/100 km city/9.5 highway/12.2 combined.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
2.0L 174 hp I4
3.0L 429 hp I6
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
174 hp @ 5200 rpm
429 hp @ 6100 rpm
MPG City
24
21
MPG Highway
36
30
CarGurus logo

By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

Popular vehicle comparisons

Similar Comparisons

Similar Comparisons by Year